2012 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Devon Still, DL, Penn State

January 26, 2012 @ 16:48:53

By Cory J. Bonini
Edited by Keith Hernandez

Penn State senior defensive tackle Devon Still is a big-bodied force in the middle and has the ability to swing outside to play end. He is one of the most highly rated prospects along the defensive line in the 2012 NFL Draft.

His breakout 2011 season concluded with 49 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. In what would be his best statistical effort of the year, Still racked up 10 stops and a sack against Illinois Oct. 29. 

Inconsistent but talented

Strengths

• Strong, violent hands - a quality rip and swim move
• NFL bloodlines (cousin to Levon Kirkland and Art Still)
• Imposing size (6-foot-5, 311 pounds)
• Experienced
• Scheme versatile - can play five- (3-4 DE) or three-technique (4-3 DT)
• Nimble feet for his size
• Strong tackler that engulfs the ball carrier
• Excellent vision to make last-second plays (made a lot of shoestring tackles in his career)
• Shows awareness in disrupting passing lanes
• A high ceiling if he is coached properly

Weaknesses

• Plays too upright
• Conditioning could be a problem
• Minor off-the-field concerns
• Injury history (torn anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in 2007; broken left ankle in 2008)
• Isn't as dominant as his size indicates he should be
• Inconsistent getting off the ball; lacks burst
• Lacks pass-rushing skills

Expected draft placement

Still should a late first-round choice in April, but his negatives are too plentiful to ignore. He will draw plenty of consideration, especially if he falls into the second round.

The Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys all could show interest in this versatile talent.

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Cory J. Bonini

Cory J. Bonini is a senior editor at KFFL. In late 2002, Bonini joined the KFFL staff as a research analyst. He vaulted himself into one of the industry's leading fantasy analysts.

Bonini has been involved in fantasy sports since 1996. A member of the Fantasy Sports Trade Association as well as Fantasy Sports Writers Association, he has been featured in print, on the radio and is also a published writer on scores of sites. Bonini co-hosted Big Lead Sports on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio from 2011 to 2012.

Bonini was recognized with the 2010 Best Article in Print Award from the FSWA and was a finalist for the same award in 2011. In '11, he finished first overall in the FSWA NFL experts challenge that featured 60 of the industry's best competitors.

Follow him on Twitter @CoryKFFL

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